MIXED DOUBLES NATIONALS KICKS OFF IN BEMIDJI
[EDEN PRAIRIE, MN, January 20, 2026] — The USA Curling Mixed Doubles Nationals kicks off today at the historic Bemidji Curling Club in Bemidji, MN, as 16 teams compete for the right to carry the Team USA banner to the ACE & Company 2026 World Mixed Doubles Championship, scheduled for Geneva, Switzerland, from April 25th through May 2nd.
There were numerous pathways to a berth in the Nationals, including finishes at the 2025 Mixed Doubles Naitonals/Trials, qualifier events, or placement on the World Curling Team Ranking System. The field is divided into two pools of eight teams each. Six teams will advance to a playoff round, with the winners of each pool advancing directly to the semi-finals.
The field features several teams with Mixed Doubles Nationals experience, including Team Fenson/Stopera (Sarah Fenson, Andrew Stopera) who lost the 2025 Olympic Team Trials for Mixed Doubles Curling final to Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin. There are also newcomers and rising young talent in mix, including players with resumes that include Junior Nationals titles in traditional four-person curling and the defending Junior Mixed Doubles Nationals champions.
The first session is this evening at 7:30 PM, following the official Opening Ceremonies. The competition continues through Sunday, with medal games scheduled for 1 PM. Full event passes and daily passes are available at the door and through the Bemidji Curling Club online platform.
Dean Gemmell, CEO of USA Curling, noted, “It’s exciting to bring this major championship to a club and a community with a history of producing some of our country’s best curlers. Countless national champions and Olympians, along with Olympic medalists, have come from the Bemidji Curling Club, and I know all the competitors will be eager to secure their own national title here in northern Minnesota.”
Fenson/Stopera (Sarah Fenson, Andrew Stopera)
Hagenbuch/Laufer (Bella Hagenbuch, Daniel Laufer)
Moores/Wheeler (Clare Moores, Lance Wheeler)
Podoll/Parry (Ann Podoll, Nate Parry)
Kraft/Kraft (Rilee Kraft, Cayden Kraft)
Kawleski/Kauffman (Rachel Kawleski, Connor Kauffman)
Fleming/Bestland (Ella Fleming, Jackson Bestland)
McMakin/Strouse (Christine McMakin, Sam Strouse)
Wendling/Paral (Ella Wendling, Benji Paral)
Senneker/Visnich (Stephanie Senneker, Nick Visnich)
Coleman/Robertson (Gabrielle Coleman, Connor Robertson)
Weldon/Franey (BriAnna Weldon, Sean Franey)
Dudt/Dudt (Susan Dudt, Daniel Dudt)
Ostrowski/Nickel (Kelsey Ostrowski, Gabe Nickel)
Scebbi/Scebbi (Harley Scebbi, Vince Scebbi)
Holt/Brenden (Heidi Holt, Zach Brenden)
For more information, including the schedule, scores, statistics and ticket information, visit the Mixed Doubles Nationals page on the USA Curling website.
About USA Curling
Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA Curling is the National Governing body for the Olympic sport of curling and the Paralympic sport of wheelchair curling in the United States. The mission of USA Curling is to grow, strengthen, and advocate for the Olympic and Paralympic sport of curling in the United States by prioritizing accessibility and programmatic development from grassroots to podium. USA Curling is sponsored by Columbia Sportswear, the Dale’s family of beers, Twin Cities Orthopedics, Training HAUS, Ice, Sports & Solar (ISS), Rock Solid Productions, Jet Ice, and Laurie Artiss. USA Curling is a proud member of World Curling and the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. To learn more, visit usacurling.org.
